The Best U.S. Cities to Find Job Openings Right Now
Finding steady work in 2026 is harder than it looks on paper. While job openings remain uneven across the country, WalletHub’s analysis of 182 U.S. cities shows that opportunity is clustering in specific places, many of them midsize metros with strong hiring activity and better affordability than coastal giants.
Here are 10 U.S. cities where job openings are easier to find right now, based on how the job market actually functions on the ground.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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Job seekers keep landing here for one simple reason: there are more openings per worker than anywhere else in the country. Manufacturing and construction still play a role, but education and health services now employ nearly 280,000 people across the region. Housing prices run 7.2% below the national average, which makes salaries stretch further than expected.
Orlando, Florida
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The hiring story here goes far beyond tourism. Orlando ranks fourth nationally for job market strength and third for total job opportunities. Healthcare systems, logistics firms, hospitality management, and professional services keep listings active year-round. Even with steady population growth, the city ranks sixth overall when income levels, safety, and commute data are included.
Columbia, Maryland
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This planned community delivers some of the strongest numbers in the country. After adjusting for the cost of living, the median household income reaches $129,000, ranking highest nationwide. Housing remains manageable, with a two-bedroom apartment taking up roughly 16% of the typical household income.
Scottsdale, Arizona
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Low unemployment sets the tone here and pushes Scottsdale to first place overall for jobs. Median household income sits at $101,000. Paid internship access ranks inside the top 20 nationally, and violent crime rates remain comparatively low. The city also holds the top spot specifically for job market performance.
Portland, Maine
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The city ranks second nationwide for access to employer-based retirement plans and 12th for full-time roles at highly rated companies. Violent crime sits among the lowest 25% nationally. Those details help Portland secure third place overall for jobs.
South Burlington, Vermont
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Few places match this combination of steady work and affordability. Unemployment ranks among the lowest in the country. Socioeconomic conditions land second overall, driven by income stability and housing measures. When everything is added up, South Burlington takes fourth place nationwide for jobs.
Plano, Texas
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Corporate hiring keeps this North Texas city firmly in the mix. Plano ranks sixth for job market strength, fueled by finance, technology services, and operations roles. Housing and commute data pull socioeconomic rankings closer to the middle. Even so, Plano still lands seventh overall for jobs in 2026.
Washington, District of Columbia
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Starting pay makes an immediate impression, with the highest average monthly starting salaries in the U.S. Commutes run long, ranking second nationwide, which drags down the socioeconomic score. Despite that tradeoff, the job market still places seventh overall. Federal agencies, contractors, and private employers continue hiring at scale.
Austin, Texas
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Austin ranks ninth overall for jobs, with the job market landing 15th nationwide, as technology and professional services continue to anchor employment growth. Hiring demand remains steady even as living costs climb, with socioeconomic factors staying inside the top 10 thanks to income strength.
Huntsville, Alabama
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Engineering, research, and technical services account for much of Huntsville’s hiring volume. Meanwhile, aerospace and defense contracts help keep the job market ranked ninth nationwide. Socioeconomic scores are lower due to income inequality and housing patterns, yet it still finishes in the top 10 overall for jobs. Clearly, this city stays competitive through consistency rather than flash.